Eshani Hettiarachchi, Ph.D.
I started these projects from the scratch. I had lot of fun learning, planning, designing, and executing experiments, and really carving out the direction of these projects.
Current Research
The chemistry at the aqueous geochemical interface is complex due to the presence of many different components including natural organic matter, coordinating oxyanions and biological molecules. In this project I study the adsorption and interactions of environmental DNA (eDNA) and protein on geochemical interfaces, as well as their transformations, using vibrational spectroscopic and micro-spectroscopic probes, as well as mass spectroscopy.
Created by E.Hettiarachchi (2024) in BioRender
Study of heterogeneous and multi-phase reactions of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds with pollutant gases leading to the secondary organic aerosol formation on mineral dust surfaces, using FTIR spectroscopy, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and Spartan Computational Calculations.
Postdoctoral Experience
Ph.D. Research
1
"Understanding the mineralogy dependent atmospheric processing of mineral dust aerosols and their impact on the growth of marine diatoms. Especially the presence of elevated Ti in mineral dust, either as internally mixed (FeTiO3), or as externally mixed (TiO2) in the presence of different acidic gas compositions and solar radiation can enhance the Fe solubility."
2
"Understanding the solubility of heavy metals in inhaled dust, and the possible health implications. Mining lands usually have higher heavy metal contamination (U, V, As) in the dust and smaller particles containing these heavy metals can be inhaled and dissolve in body fluids thereby causing health risks."
3
"Studying structurally and compositionally tuned metal organic frameworks for understanding their potential on selective gas adsorption. Use of such materials in emission points can selectively adsorb & store gases such as carbon dioxide."
Undergraduate Thesis Study
"Synthesis of activated coconut coir (ACC) via both chemical and heat treatment for desalination of hard water and seawater, and improving the regeneration conditions of the ACC for reuse."
